Taiwanese TV commentator Liu Chun-yao dies of cancer at age 52

Public shocked by death of Taiwanese TV commentator Liu Chun-yao from pancreatic cancer at age 52

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) -- Fans of Taiwanese TV commentator and journalist Liu Chun-yao (劉駿耀) were shocked to learn today that he died last night at the age of 52 from pancreatic cancer, reported Apple Daily.

A doctor, who preferred to remain anonymous, told Apple Daily that Liu had been suffering from advanced stage pancreatic cancer. Over the past two years, Liu had been receiving several series of treatments at Tri-Service General Hospital in Taipei's Zhongzheng District.

The doctor said his condition changed six months ago and his health started to deteriorate rapidly over the past month. On his last Facebook post uploaded on Feb. 6, Liu thanked everyone for their birthday wishes.

Five weeks ago, a netizen claimed to have seen Liu at a shopping mall recently and felt that he was "too thin and looked unhealthy." Four weeks ago, another netizen wrote, "I haven't seen you for a long time. Our office staff misses you very much."

In a book he published on weight loss, Liu wrote that he had smoked from the age of 15 to 24, when he quit due to chronic bronchitis. He then switched to smoking cigars, but because his wife drove him out of their home as she could not stand the smoke, he finally quit.

Liu also battled alcohol addiction for over 20 years, and he was known for never turning down a drink. He also suffered from obesity, at one point reaching 96 kilograms (211 pounds) on his short frame.

During junior high school, Liu suffered from fulminant hepatitis and was found to be carrying the hepatitis B virus. Within one year he had been sent to the emergency room four times for asthma and gastric spasms.

With the urging and support of his wife, Liu improved many of his living habits and lost 21 kilograms. After loosing weight and changing his bad habits, Liu nicknamed himself "Thin and Shining" (劉駿耀).

Liu was a veteran journalist having previously worked for TVBS, and he was frequently invited to comment on TV news shows as well as radio programs.